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Rachel Brice San Francisco, CA
: The Indigo, Bellydance Superstars"Suhaila Salimpour was not only one of my original inspirations to Belly Dance, she continually reconfigures my understanding of the dance form. She is a dancer's dancer, and will always challenge, encourage, and re-inspire you. Even after dancing all her life, she's got the same enthusiasm of a newcomer, and is incredibly knowledgeable of anatomy and physiology. If you haven't taken a week-long workshop from her, you really owe it to yourself and your dancing to go, every single penny is worth it: you'll be using what she taught you for years."
Aziza, Montreal Canada: "I became both a better dancer and better instructor by taking Suhaila's workshops. Any dancer would benefit from a week of being challenged physically and mentally by Suhaila's format. Suhaila's emphasis on body placement and clean technique allows you to develop a strong foundation so that you can apply your voice to any style of Middle Eastern dance." and she's hawt!"
Sharon Kihara: The Indigo, Bellydance Superstars: "I began studying with Suhaila after professionally performing Tribal Style in the Bay Area for two years. I went to level 1, thinking I'd be on top of it in a "beginner" class, being "pro" and all……….and didn't my whole concept of bellydance come crashing down around me. I found it difficult to even endure the warmup! I immediately quit performing altogether and truly began my life as a student, unlearning, relearning, rebuilding. The whole time, Suhaila, her wonderful family and her staff of dancers treated me with amazing care, kindness and respect. I remember feeling so humbled by seeing clearly my true ability for the first time, and at the same time inspired to become more, to reach the potential of the dancer I wanted to become. They worked me out to the point of exhaustion, Suhaila treated me with just as much personal attention and support as if I were a member of her own company, and I experienced……..sweat. And the more I learned and internalized, the more I wanted. And still want." "The weeklong workshop is kind of a cathartic experience for most people who take it, in one way or another. The technique is universal and has no dictated "style" attached to it-it just provides a strong, safe foundation, and then the stylization is up to you. The instruction is comprehensive, in plain terms, hightly understandable and will make you INCREDIBLY STRONG if you practice regularly. So many dancers enter the weeklong and emerge inspired, technically evolved, and hungry for more!! If you are serious about growing as a dancer, just bite the bullet and go. It is, hands down, one of the very best things you will ever do for yourself. Worth every red cent".
Amy Sigil, Dancer, Choreographer, Instructor, Director of Unmata Dance Company: "I think a sign of a great teacher is how much they are willing to teach you, and that is the most impressive quality of the Salimpour format. The driving force of true generosity. The teacher who wants you to succeed."
Renee Drellishak, Seattle, WA: "My first encounter with Suhaila was via her Stretch & Tone video, which I purchased way back when the interview bits were still spliced between the workout sections. I appreciated the conditioning focus, but had no idea how it related to her technique, or even that she had a technique."
"Years later she came to Seattle to do a series of 1-day workshops. I had reached a point in my dancing where I didn't really understand how to improve, in that mysterious "intermediate" level in my class where I could see distinctions between myself and beginning dancers but couldn't have necessarily explained what they were. Suhaila's workshop was a revelation. It was road map with clear and precise directions, which I was elated to have."
"Anyone who thinks this format is about being able to squeeze your glutes has missed the point."
"This format is about becoming the most fully developed artist you can be. Yes, it demands precise technique, but that technique is a means not an end. That technique enables you to express your artistic vision without technical limitation. But it is the artistry, the statement of the artist, the ability of each dancer to put herself on stage and say, "Here. This is who I am and what I feel," that this format is truly about. And that is why I do it."
Margaret Cho: Comedian: "Suhaila Salimpour is the only teacher for this dance. There are a multitude of reasons why we come to this beautiful art form, but one thing is true. We all come with our bodies, which each and all have special needs that may not be addressed in other formats. The Salimpour format is the only way to learn bellydance." "We can all dance, but if you aren't using the format, it is not bellydance. Salimpour uses her vast knowledge of dance, drawing on an impressive career as the First American Bellydancer ?as well history, physiology, psychology, rhythm, costuming, beauty, music and art, to create a tremendously rich and safe environment for learning and growing and sharing in the beautiful experience of bellydance as it was always meant to be."
Rachel George : Dancer, Instructor, Award Winner: "This woman's vision affects us all! I recommend to everyone in this dance form to take classes and or workshops from this master! What I have learned from Suhaila's format are the simple tools to build myself as a dancer to the highest level I am willing to apply them. Suhaila's format has completely revolutionized my dance world. By learning these tools has allowed me to take them home and on my own time and use them without the questions of "am I doing this right?" The solid structure of the format ensures success! The workshops are where learning how to use the tools, creates and shapes the artist in you. Thus, allowing the freedom to hone skill to build the better dancer."
Amaya, Dancer, Instructor, Choreographer, Producer: "Suhaila has the most organized and comprehensive dance training of anyone I know! The workout and the information on a physical, intellectual and spiritual level is a wonderful blend. Her own maturity and the Jamila legacy make for a 'must-do' goal for any serious dancer in our field."
Michelle Joyce, Teacher, Performer, Producer: "Suhaila's classes have not only helped me to improve my dance technique, but her format has helped me to recover from a lower back injury that was exacerbated by years of improper dance form. When I started taking Suhaila's classes I was at the point where the pain in my back was threatening to make me stop dancing. Once I began to do the movements the way she taught me to do them I immediately noticed that my back became stronger and healthier. Her emphasis on body placement and technique is something that I always refer back to now that I am a teacher myself."
Aziza, Montreal Canada: "I became both a better dancer and better instructor by taking Suhaila's workshops. Any dancer would benefit from a week of being challenged physically and mentally by Suhaila's format. Suhaila's emphasis on body placement and clean technique allows you to develop a strong foundation so that you can apply your voice to any style of Middle Eastern dance." and she's hawt!"
Sharon Kihara: The Indigo, Bellydance Superstars: "I began studying with Suhaila after professionally performing Tribal Style in the Bay Area for two years. I went to level 1, thinking I'd be on top of it in a "beginner" class, being "pro" and all……….and didn't my whole concept of bellydance come crashing down around me. I found it difficult to even endure the warmup! I immediately quit performing altogether and truly began my life as a student, unlearning, relearning, rebuilding. The whole time, Suhaila, her wonderful family and her staff of dancers treated me with amazing care, kindness and respect. I remember feeling so humbled by seeing clearly my true ability for the first time, and at the same time inspired to become more, to reach the potential of the dancer I wanted to become. They worked me out to the point of exhaustion, Suhaila treated me with just as much personal attention and support as if I were a member of her own company, and I experienced……..sweat. And the more I learned and internalized, the more I wanted. And still want." "The weeklong workshop is kind of a cathartic experience for most people who take it, in one way or another. The technique is universal and has no dictated "style" attached to it-it just provides a strong, safe foundation, and then the stylization is up to you. The instruction is comprehensive, in plain terms, hightly understandable and will make you INCREDIBLY STRONG if you practice regularly. So many dancers enter the weeklong and emerge inspired, technically evolved, and hungry for more!! If you are serious about growing as a dancer, just bite the bullet and go. It is, hands down, one of the very best things you will ever do for yourself. Worth every red cent".
Amy Sigil, Dancer, Choreographer, Instructor, Director of Unmata Dance Company: "I think a sign of a great teacher is how much they are willing to teach you, and that is the most impressive quality of the Salimpour format. The driving force of true generosity. The teacher who wants you to succeed."
Renee Drellishak, Seattle, WA: "My first encounter with Suhaila was via her Stretch & Tone video, which I purchased way back when the interview bits were still spliced between the workout sections. I appreciated the conditioning focus, but had no idea how it related to her technique, or even that she had a technique."
"Years later she came to Seattle to do a series of 1-day workshops. I had reached a point in my dancing where I didn't really understand how to improve, in that mysterious "intermediate" level in my class where I could see distinctions between myself and beginning dancers but couldn't have necessarily explained what they were. Suhaila's workshop was a revelation. It was road map with clear and precise directions, which I was elated to have."
"Anyone who thinks this format is about being able to squeeze your glutes has missed the point."
"This format is about becoming the most fully developed artist you can be. Yes, it demands precise technique, but that technique is a means not an end. That technique enables you to express your artistic vision without technical limitation. But it is the artistry, the statement of the artist, the ability of each dancer to put herself on stage and say, "Here. This is who I am and what I feel," that this format is truly about. And that is why I do it."
Margaret Cho: Comedian: "Suhaila Salimpour is the only teacher for this dance. There are a multitude of reasons why we come to this beautiful art form, but one thing is true. We all come with our bodies, which each and all have special needs that may not be addressed in other formats. The Salimpour format is the only way to learn bellydance." "We can all dance, but if you aren't using the format, it is not bellydance. Salimpour uses her vast knowledge of dance, drawing on an impressive career as the First American Bellydancer ?as well history, physiology, psychology, rhythm, costuming, beauty, music and art, to create a tremendously rich and safe environment for learning and growing and sharing in the beautiful experience of bellydance as it was always meant to be."
Rachel George : Dancer, Instructor, Award Winner: "This woman's vision affects us all! I recommend to everyone in this dance form to take classes and or workshops from this master! What I have learned from Suhaila's format are the simple tools to build myself as a dancer to the highest level I am willing to apply them. Suhaila's format has completely revolutionized my dance world. By learning these tools has allowed me to take them home and on my own time and use them without the questions of "am I doing this right?" The solid structure of the format ensures success! The workshops are where learning how to use the tools, creates and shapes the artist in you. Thus, allowing the freedom to hone skill to build the better dancer."
Amaya, Dancer, Instructor, Choreographer, Producer: "Suhaila has the most organized and comprehensive dance training of anyone I know! The workout and the information on a physical, intellectual and spiritual level is a wonderful blend. Her own maturity and the Jamila legacy make for a 'must-do' goal for any serious dancer in our field."
Michelle Joyce, Teacher, Performer, Producer: "Suhaila's classes have not only helped me to improve my dance technique, but her format has helped me to recover from a lower back injury that was exacerbated by years of improper dance form. When I started taking Suhaila's classes I was at the point where the pain in my back was threatening to make me stop dancing. Once I began to do the movements the way she taught me to do them I immediately noticed that my back became stronger and healthier. Her emphasis on body placement and technique is something that I always refer back to now that I am a teacher myself."